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Maxwell throws support behind Pies duo

Guy Hand

Under-fire Collingwood stars Dane Swan and Dale Thomas have been backed in by their captain ahead of the new AFL season.

Swan's controversial television interview arranged without his club's prior knowledge and the saga around Thomas coming out of contract have become sideshows and possible distractions ahead of the Magpies' season-opener against North Melbourne.

Former Sydney coach Paul Roos has said the issues threaten to derail a team capable of winning a flag this season, and that Magpies players "would be getting sick of Dane Swan".

But Collingwood skipper Nick Maxwell has defended both players.

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"Swanny's been sensational the past four months, the way he's performed through the pre-season, the way he came back to pre-season," Maxwell said.

"I haven't seen him disengage in the 11 years that I've been (at the club). I'm really happy where Swanny's at."

Maxwell vehemently defended Thomas' right to explore free agency should he wish - and said supporters needed to get used to AFL's new way of doing business.

"The industry has to get used to free agency - this is what's going to happen," Maxwell said of the Thomas situation.

"We (the players) understand that - we wanted that (free agency).

"Internally it's not a big deal. Externally, people have to get their head around the fact that their favourite players are going to be moving."

The Magpies had a similar saga last season when forward Travis Cloke's contract status dominated the latter half of their season and had a telling downward effect on his form.

But having said that, Maxwell remains confident Thomas will remain a Magpie beyond this year.